Ming Dynasty: The Crocodile King of Han Prince Zhu Gaoxu's Family

Chapter 380 Snowy Yunnan

"Ha~
Haha~
"Hahahaha!" Upon hearing Yu Fanzhong's reply, the Xuande Emperor's pupils contracted sharply as if in an earthquake! He knew this matter was huge! Very complicated! It could even endanger the palace and the emperor's life! However, this matter could not be known to him, the emperor!
This made the Xuande Emperor feel extremely aggrieved!

Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, silently closed his eyes. He already had a preliminary understanding of the matter in his mind. However, he still did not know the truth!

After opening his eyes, Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, once again turned his gaze to Yang Shiqi and the other two.

"I have only one question."

"When will I be able to know about this matter?!" The Xuande Emperor looked at the resolute gazes of Yang Shiqi and the other two. He knew that this time, as emperor, he would absolutely not get anything out of them!
Based on Emperor Xuande's understanding of Yang Shiqi and his two companions, Zhu Zhanji knew deep down that they would never betray the court.

Given this situation, in order to prevent things from escalating beyond control, Zhu Zhanji, as the current emperor, chose to back down!
However, he needed to know when he would be able to find out the full details of the matter!

"Your Majesty."

Emperor Taizong knew about this matter before he withdrew from the five expeditions to the grasslands and returned to Yumu River.

"Emperor Renzong knew about this matter before the Prince of Han was enfeoffed in Yunnan." Faced with Emperor Xuande's repeated questioning, Yang Shiqi knew that Emperor Xuande had chosen to delay. And since the emperor had chosen to delay, he also had to give Emperor Xuande an explanation.

Therefore, Yang Shiqi repeated what he had once said to the Xuande Emperor.

Clearly, Yang Shiqi's answer was irrelevant. He did not explicitly tell the Xuande Emperor when he would learn the details of the matter.

However, after listening to Yang Shiqi's words, Emperor Xuande seemed to fall into deep thought, standing quietly on the throne without speaking or making any movement.

But in reality, Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, was in turmoil! Although Yang Shiqi's words were somewhat irrelevant, Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, heard them clearly.

Emperor Taizong knew this before he arrived at Yumu River, which meant that it was just before his death!

Emperor Renzong knew before he took up his post at the Prince of Han's residence that this time point meant that it was just before Emperor Renzong's death!

Was this secret, from my grandfather Emperor Taizong through Emperors Taizong, Renzong, and even during my reign in the Xuande era, always something that could only be known before the emperor's death?!
Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, already knew the answer in his heart! However, he was unwilling to accept it!
That's just how people are; the more a secret is hidden, the more people want to know it. Just like now, Emperor Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, desperately needs to know what this secret, hidden by Yang Shiqi and others, is—a secret that can only be known before the emperor's death!

Your subject, Yang Shiqi

Deceiving the emperor and committing treason! An unforgivable crime!
"Your Majesty, please punish me!" Seeing the Xuande Emperor standing motionless, Yang Shiqi knelt down again, begging the emperor to punish him. At this moment, Yang Shiqi was even prepared to be beheaded.

Yang Shiqi's words seemed to startle the Xuande Emperor from his deep thoughts. Immediately, the Xuande Emperor, Zhu Zhanji, turned his gaze to Yang Shiqi once again.

"Grand Secretary Yang is a veteran of three reigns;"
He is the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet of my Great Ming Dynasty;

He was also a regent appointed by the late emperor;
As the saying goes: "He did not change his father's ways for three years."

I really don't want to give people any more ammunition to criticize me!

"Therefore, you may all leave!" At this moment, Emperor Xuande seemed to have regained his rationality. He did not punish Yang Shiqi and the other two in any way, not even with a verbal reprimand. He gave a self-deprecating explanation for not punishing them and prepared to drive them out of the hall.

However, from the deep and cold eyes of the Xuande Emperor, Yang Shiqi knew that things were far from over! An even greater storm was brewing behind them!

"We take our leave!" The Xuande Emperor didn't even offer a proper punishment before dismissing them. Although Yang Shiqi and the others were filled with unease, they could only respectfully bid farewell to the Xuande Emperor and leave. "Summon Saihazhi!" Just as the three of them stepped out of the Qianqing Palace, they were startled to hear the Xuande Emperor's furious roar echoing from within!
Upon hearing the name Saihazhi, Yang Shiqi and the other two couldn't help but shudder!
Saihazhi is the current commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard! He commands all the Embroidered Uniform Guards of the Ming Dynasty!

At this time, the Xuande Emperor summoned Saihazhi.

Clearly, the Xuande Emperor did not believe a single word spoken by Yang Shiqi and the other two!

Furthermore, this also means that the Xuande Emperor will personally send people to investigate all information about the Prince of Han's residence!
"Grand Secretary Yang." Upon hearing the voice coming from the palace, Yang Shiqi instinctively turned to return to the Qianqing Palace. He wanted to offer another word of advice to the Xuande Emperor!
However, at that moment, Yu Qian, standing beside Yang Shiqi, immediately grabbed Yang Shiqi's arm, stopping him from returning to the Qianqing Palace. Yu Qian knew that if Yang Shiqi went in now, it would only backfire!

Yang Shiqi realized what was happening the moment Yu Qian grabbed him; he was just confused because he was worried!

"Sigh!" At that moment, Yang Shiqi heard the loud reply from the eunuch beside him from inside the Qianqing Palace. He then looked down at his sleeve, which Yu Qian was tightly gripping. Yang Shiqi couldn't help but sigh deeply, gently freeing himself from Yu Qian's grasp, and staggered towards the palace gates.

At this moment, Yang Shiqi's usually proud and upright posture seemed to have collapsed. He walked hunched over, wandering aimlessly towards the palace gate.

Seeing Yang Shiqi's dejected look, Fan Zhong wanted to raise his hand to call out to him. However, before Fan Zhong could speak, Yu Qian stopped him again.

"General Fan."

Grand Secretary Yang needs some peace and quiet right now.

"Let's not disturb him." Yu Qian grabbed Fan Zhong again and stopped Fan Zhong from saying the words that were already on the tip of his tongue to Yang Shiqi.

Then, Fan Zhong and Yu Qian watched quietly as Yang Shiqi continued to walk away from the palace.

In a daze, he saw a strong, muscular figure with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, dressed in embroidered robes, pass by Yang Shiqi, who was leaving the palace.
Meanwhile, in Yunnan province.

It was winter, and snowflakes were falling from the sky.

Meanwhile, Prince Zhu Zhanhe of Han had completed his inspection of the thirty-six prefectures of Annam and led his people back to Yunnan.

At this moment, snowflakes were falling outside the main hall, while inside the room, Prince Zhu Zhanhe was holding his beloved son, chatting with his wife and mother.

"Your Highness, it has been several days since you returned from Annam."

"The New Year is almost here, shouldn't our family get together?" Princess Xia asked her husband, her eyes filled with happiness as she watched him holding their son and playing with him.

"Your Highness can arrange this matter. It's just as well. My second brother has also come back this time, and the whole family is gathered together. It's good for everyone to get together."

After the New Year, the princess and her mother will have to put in some effort to start choosing wives for her second and third brothers. They will select some good girls from the candidates from Yunnan and Guangdong and let the two brothers see them. If they are satisfied, the marriage will be arranged. The remaining girls will be added to the royal family.

Also, don't delay your younger sister's wedding. After the New Year, the Mu family's betrothal process will be almost finished, so let's hold the wedding in the second half of the year or early the following year.

My second sister is also of marriageable age, so Mother and the Princess should put in a lot of effort to choose a suitable son-in-law.

"After the New Year, let's postpone sending the dowry to the capital for now. We'll make other arrangements later," Zhu Zhanhe said softly, pinching his son's chubby cheeks.

(End of this chapter)